How to open and convert HEIC photos on Windows

You copy photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC, double-click one, and get an error or a prompt to buy a codec. Your photos are fine. Windows just doesn't have the decoder it needs.

Option 1: convert them in your browser (link to section)

This is the quickest fix when you need files that work everywhere, and it installs nothing. Your photos stay on your computer, because the conversion runs in the browser tab.

1. Drop your .heic files on the page. You can add a whole folder's worth.
2. Keep the default quality of 92 unless you need a smaller file.
3. Press Convert, then download a ZIP of the JPGs.

The first run takes a moment on Chrome, Edge or Firefox, because the page loads a decoder that isn't built into those browsers.

Option 2: install the Microsoft Store extensions (link to section)

To view HEIC directly in the Photos app, install HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Some PCs already include HEVC support from their manufacturer.

This lets you view the files, but they stay HEIC. Anything you upload or send can still be rejected somewhere else.

Option 3: stop it happening next time (link to section)

On your iPhone:

• Settings → Apps → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic converts to a compatible format when you copy over a cable. Menu names shift a little between iOS versions.
• Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible shoots JPG from now on. Photos take up more space, so think about whether you want that.

Which should you pick? (link to section)

If this is a one-off, convert in the browser. If you regularly edit iPhone photos on Windows, install the extensions too. And if everything you do leaves your phone straight away, Most Compatible saves you the extra step.

Want to understand what you're choosing between? Read HEIC vs JPG.